Deck meets side

[Uncle Dave]

I am restoring a Sylvan 21 ft cuddy cabin. I am now replacing the 1/2" plywood deck. It was originaly not sealed where the deck met the sides (hull). Water, either rain or lake, could easily enter the area between hull and foam. And no way to excape. Should this be sealed and any suggestions as how to do this. I do not want to penetrate the hull with fasteners. Perhaps lots of silicone 2? In some places the gap may be up to 1 inch wide.<br />Thanks,

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Deck meets side

The proper way is to glass the entire floor and overlap the floor up onto the sides by at least 3 or 4 inches. Also incorporate a way for any deck water to be diverted to the bilge.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Re: Deck meets side

QL,<br />Are you saying to glass to the alum sides. Will it stick as the sides flex during heavy seas?<br />Mr. Fitz.

 

[DJ]

Re: Deck meets side

Do not glass the floor to the aluminum sides. It will not stick and the hull flexes too much.<br /><br />That design really was not meant to be sealed. If anything, I would make channels along the sides to accelerate water drainage.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Deck meets side

My bad Mr. Fitz. I thought you were refering to a glass boat. I should have recognized the Sylan name. In this case, I would seal the edges with 3M 4200 if you are sure there is no drainage along the sides between the hull and foam, But one inch spaces are going to be too wide to effectively seal. Still, provaide a place for the deck to drain into the bilge at the rear of the boat. If it were me, I would coat the wood with a sealer such as CPES from rot doctor. It will drastically prolong the lifespan if the wood. Pay particular attention to the endgrain where the plys are exposed. Sorry for the mix-up.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Re: Deck meets side

No problem Mr. QL 3m4200 or the good grades of silicone caulk was what i was thinking of or perhaps using a strip of rubber say 2 or 3 inches wide and 3m it to the hull and screw the other edge to the deck.<br /><br />By the way I am reusing the ply deck. It was only covered with carpet. No sealer used at all. I often read on this forum about sealing the deck. Perhaps if the deck were vented and allowed to dry there would not be a rot problem . The boat is a 85 model so the ply is rather aged and still not rotted. The rework was because of water between the hull and foam. Foam was not waterlogged, it just held the water against the hull and ribs. I had to patch about 20 something places. I used ss screws and lots of 3m5200.<br />I may be making a mistake by making the deck "waterprouf". If a few ounces of water gets into the underdeck area, then it will not evaporte back out the same small hole.<br />I guess all boats, glass or metal, with poured foam have this problem.<br />Regards, Fitz.

 

[DJ]

Re: Deck meets side

I agree that trying to make a deck "waterproof" that was never designed to be so, is a lesson in futility.<br /><br />Just give everything plenty of space to drain and air out.